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Copy 1 



KINGS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Inc. 

Contributions to American History, Number One 



The Life and Service 

OF 

Major-General 

WILLIAM ALEXANDER 

Also Called 

The Earl of Stirling 




By CHARLES A. DITMAS 




GENERAL LORD STIRLING 

Born at New York. 1726. Died at Albany, 1783. 

Hero of B.\ttle of Long Island, August 27th, 1776 

Our First National Battle 

Painted for Chas. M. Higgins by Eleanor C. Bannister, Brooklyn, 1919. from 
Portrait from life by Bass Otis in Independence Hall, Philadelphia, and from 
Miniature in the Life of Lord Stirling written by his Grandson, William 
Alexander Duer, published by New Jersey Historical Society, 1847. 



Kings County Historical Society 

INCORPORATED 

Contributions to American History, Number One 




'The LIFE and SERVICE 

of 

Major - General 

William Alexander 

Also Called 

The EARL of STIRLING 



CHARLES ANDREW DITMAS ^^ 

President of the Kings County Historical Society 



PRINTED FOR TBE SOCIETT— BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, 1920 



Eior 



Copyrighted, Nineteer.-Tiventy , 

By CHARLES A. DITMAS "^ 



■0)CI,A576945 



O 



^ 



The Publication Committee 

CHARLES A. DITMAS 
' GEORGE T. HAMMOND 
OCT 21 1920 GEORGE TIFFANY 



) 



<^ MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM ALEXANDER 

CALLED 
i LORD STIRLING 

^ American History presents no more interesting character than 

William Alexander, the patriot. The son of a great patriot and a charm- 
ing, capable woman who played no small part in both the business and 
the social life of her age. That he was one of Washington's favorite 
Generals can be construed only as recognizing his ability and loyalty to 
the great cause. 

James Alexander, his father, was born in Scotland in 1691, and came 
to New York in 1715, having been compelled to leave his native land 
because he had served as an officer of engineers in the army of The 
Pretender. In 1716, because of his ability as an engineer, he was 
appointed Surveyor-General of the Colony of New York and of the 
Colony of New Jersey. He possessed much scientific knowledge, par- 
ticularly in mathematics. Taking up the study of law, he was admitted 
to practice and attained a high place at the bar. In 1721 he was appointed 
Attorney-General, and from 1721 to 1737 and again from 1750 to 1756 
he was a member of the Governor's Council. In 1737 he was elected 
to the Colonial Assembly, and from 1722 until his death he was a member 
of the Governor's Council of the Colony of New Jersey. A most remark- 
able instance of a man serving in the highest governing body of two 
Colonies at the same time. In 1721 he married the rich widow of Samuel 
Provoost, whose maiden name was Mary Sprott ; her father was John 
Sprott, of Wigtown, Scotland. By Samuel Provoost she had two sons, 
John and David. Her husband, Samuel Provoost, had acquired a large 
estate in mercantile business, the profits of which in those days were 
enormous. His estate was divided between his widow and two sons. The 
widow continued the business with considerable success. Her son David 
grew up to be a sea captain, but died while still a young man, before 
marriage. The other son, John Provoost, survived his mother, who upon 
her death in 1761 left him five thousand pounds and his brother David's 
portrait. He already had one-third of his father's estate and possibly his 
brother's share. 

It was quite natural that when the young widow found herself left 
in the world with her two boys, and not only a large estate to care for 
but also a flourishing business to manage, she frequently turned to the 
young and rising lawyer for advice, and that business turned into friend- 
ship, Shd friendship into love, and the minister did the rest. 



James Alexander was in partnership with a young Englishman by 
the name of William Smith, later Justice of the Supreme Court, Attorney- 
General, Councilor, Recorder, and one of the founders of Princeton Col- 
lege, and father of the celebrated Chief Justice and historian of New York. 

Alexander & Smith were the Counsellors for Acting Governor Rip 
Van Dam in the difficulties which he had with the arrant, unpopular 
Governor Crosby, and when Crosby caused the arrest of John Peter 
Zenger, and the suppression of his press, Alexander & Smith appeared 
for Zenger. So wrought up was the Governor that he had the firm sus- 
pended from practice before the Courts. And it was only by securing 
Jar»es Hamilton, of Philadelphia, a venerable and learned member of the 
bar, in fact, the leading member, to come on to New York and represent 
their client, that they compelled a hearing in Court, a trial by jury, and, 
although the Court was biased, the jury acquitted Zenger. This was the 
first great fight for liberty. James Alexander played a leading part. It 
has been said that it was his wife Mary who went to Philadelphia and 
induced Hamilton to come to New York, to defend the people repre- 
sented by her husband's client against an oppressive Governor. 

Meanwhile his wife continued the business of her first husband, and 
with considerable success. Associated with her were her sons, and when 
William Alexander grew up he, too, entered the business as a clerk and 
later as a partner. During the French and Indian War Mrs. Alexander 
secured the contract to supply the Royal Troops with clothes and provi- 
sions. While thus engaged young Alexander attracted the attention of 
the Military authorities, and he secured a commission in the Commis- 
sariat Department of the Provincial Army. This brought him to the 
attention of General Shirley, who appointed him his Aide-de-Camp and 
Private Secretary. Here Alexander gained considerable military experi- 
ence, which fitted him for his high command during the Revolutionary 
War. In 1756 his father died, leaving a large but not very productive 
estate to his widow, son and several daughters. 

In 1754 William Alexander was associated with several other promi- 
nent young men in the establishment of the New York Society Library, 
in which public enterprise it is said he was encouraged by his mother. 
He was elected in 1761 a member of the St. Andrews Society of New 
York, of which he became the fifth President, serving from 1761 to 1764. 
Both of these Societies are still active institutions in New York, both 
have acquired wealth, social status and have records of great usefulness. 
He was one of the first Governors of Kings, now Columbia College ; he 
succeeded his father as Surveyor-General, and later served on the 
Governor's Council. 



In 1756 General Shirley was recalled to England to answer charges 
of failure to successfully carry on the war. Major Alexander accom- 
panied him and appeared in his behalf before the House of Commons in 
April, 1757. General Shirley was acquitted of blame. During his stay 
in England Major Alexander met the leading men of England and for 
many years afterwards kept up a correspondence with some of them. 
Having completed the public business which had brought him to England, 
Major Alexander turned his attention to some private affairs. 

It had been family tradition that his father was next of kin to the 
Earl of Stirling, who had died without issue in 1739. This Earldom 
included grants to vast tracts of land in America, as well as in Scotland. 
A jury of Service of the leading men of Edinburgh declared upon the 
evidence presented to them that he was Earl of Stirling. Under Scottish 
law this was considered sufficient warrant to assume the title. Some of 
his friends now advised him to petition the King for recognition and 
confirmation in and to the title, which he did. The King referred the 
petition to the House of Lords, which was exceedingly slow to act. Two 
years passed. In the meantime the distressing news of the death of his 
mother reached him. People generally were accepting the action of the 
Jury of Service and calling him "Lord Stirling." He likewise was facing 
the necessity of living up to his claims, and was signing himself "Stirling." 
At the death of his mother he was thrown back to some extent upon his 
own resources. It is true he now came into the bulk of his father's estate. 
This estate consisted largely of mineral and farming lands in New Jersey. 
In addition, he received the city mansion in New York from his mother. 
This was a large mansion and had been noted as a center of social life. 
It was on what was known as Broad Street, between Stone and Mill Street. 
Returning to America, he soon disposed of such business enterprises as 
he was engaged in, sold the New York mansion and erected a manor 
house at Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Here he was elected and appointed 
to the various offices his father had held, and here he began a career of 
developing the industries of New Jersey, which if he had possessed larger 
capital would no doubt have proved very prosperous. 

Without question it could be said of him that he gained the respect 
and confidence of his neighbors throughout that section of New Jersey 
and that he continued to hold this confidence to the end of his days. 

The establishment of iron foundries and other enterprises in which 
he entered seemed to be doomed to failure. The Revolutionary War was 
but the climax to these business ventures. He resided in the Basking 
Ridge home (burned in February, 1920) until the Revolution called him 
to the colors ; living in a style befitting not only his American station 
in society but also that of the title which by common consent he bore. 



Shortly after leaving England the House of Lords denied his petition 
to the Crown on the ground of lack of sufficient evidence, with an admo- 
nition not to assume or use the title. This Major Alexander continued 
to do, claiming that by right of the Jury of Service's verdict he was 
entitled to the name and title of Stirling. A proceeding usually followed 
by claimants to a title, for any other action would be an acknowledgment 
of error. Lord Stirling was addressed in that title, not only by his 
neighbors and social and business associates, but also by His Majesty's 
Governor of the Colony of New Jersey, and was so appointed to the 
Governor's Council. It would seem that the use of an obsolete title by 
one who not only claimed it as a right, but whose right to use it had 
been approved by a Jury of Service, as required under Scottish laws, 
particularly when His Majesty's Governor recognized this right and that 
the only estoppel named by the House of Lords was that which affected 
his seat in that body and his ownership of the lands, was permissible. 

Lord Stirling was connected with some of the leading families of 
America. He married Sarah Livingston, daughter of Philip and Cath- 
erine Van Brugh Livingston. This Philip Livingston was the first Presi- 
dent of the St. Andrews Society. Lord Stirling and Lady Sarah, as she 
was called, had two children ; first Mary, born 1749. She married Robert 
Watts, a Loyalist ; second Catherine, born March 8, 1755. She married 
first Colonel William Duer, a celebrated patriot, by whom she had eight 
children. After his death she married William Neilson, a prominent 
business man. 

Lord Stirling's brother-in-law, Philip Livingston, was a member 
of the Continental Congress, 1774 to 1778, and a signer of the Declaration 
of Independence. Another brother-in-law was Peter Van Brugh Living- 
ston, President of the Provincial Congress of New York. Still another 
W^illiam Livingston was the rebel Governor of New Jersey from 1776 to 
1790 and a signer of the Federal Constitution in 1787; while a niece was 
the wife of the illustrious statesman. Governor and Chief Justice John 
Jay. His half brother, John Provoost, married a daughter of Colonel 
Rutgers ; one of her nephews was killed in the battle of Long Island. 
They had a son, Samuel Provoost, who was a clergyman of the Episcopal 
Church and an Assistant Rector of Trinity Church. Because of his Pro- 
Whig views he found it necessary to resign his church. He served 
with the Continental Army as a chaplain, and on at least one occasion 
took active part in an engagement. At the close of the War he was made 
Rector of Trinity Church and Bishop of New York. He was known as 
the rebel Bishop, and was Washington's Rector while President in New 
York. 



His son-in-law, Robert Watts, found himself in a rather unhappy 
state, occupying a conspicuous place in the business life of New York; 
while his father and his uncle, James Delancey, were stiff-necked Loyal- 
ists, he faced the fact of his wife's family being strong patriots. During 
the War he remained loyal to the Crown and attended quietly to his own 
business. He and his wife had three daughters and two sons. These 
children left many descendants who have occupied prominent places in 
our city's history, a grandson being the well-known professor of aiaatomy, 
Robert Watts, M.D. Lady Mary Watts' sisters-in-law were Anna 
Watts, who married Captain Archibald Kennedy, whose mansion stood 
at No. 3 Broadway ; Susanna, who married Phillip Kearney, her son, 
Stephen Watts Kearney, being a Major-General in the Mexican War ; 
Mary Watts, who married the celebrated Sir John Johnson, of the 
Mohawk Valley ; and Margaret, who married Major Robert W. Leake. 

Colonel William Duer, who married Lord Stirling's second daughter, 
emigrated to America in 1768, after serving with Lord Clive in India. 
He acquired property on the Hudson River and served as a commissary 
for New York. He was also a member of the New York Committee of 
Safety and at one time represented New York in the Continental Congress. 
The wedding of Colonel Duer and Lady Kitty was a notable occasion ; 
it took place during the absence of her father with his command, and 
General Washington, acting in his place, gave the bride away. And his 
own Chaplain, the Rev. Mr. Armstrong, performed the ceremony. Their 
eldest son, William Alexander Duer, LL.D., was, we are informed, at 
one time a student at Erasmus Hall Academy. He was one of the first 
midshipmen of the U. S. Navy, gave up the Navy to study law ; he 
became noted as a lawyer, was appointed Judge of the Third Circuit 
Court of New York ; in 1834 he was elected President of Columbia Col- 
lege, in which office he added to his well-earned reputation. Another son, 
John Duer, was an eminent Jurist. Among the descendants of Colonel 
William Duer and his wife, Lady Kitty, is Mrs. John King Van Rens- 
selaer, of New York, an authority on Colonial History. Governor Bur- 
nett of New York was godfather of Mary Alexander at her baptism. 

I have thus sketched some of the family relationships of Lord Stirling 
to show not only the social position which he held, but also the character 
which was bred in him and which by associations must have been rein- 
forced. No son of James Alexander and Mary Sprott Provoost but 
would be found defending the rights of mankind. This heritage, rein- 
forced by association with the patriotic Livingston family, left no other 
course open to a man with the character of William Alexander, Earl of 
Stirling. 



Revolutionary Career 

Lord Stirling was, from education, early association and mature 
judgment a Whig in politics. He used his influence in England to secure 
the repeal of the Stamp Act and was among the first to take up arms in 
the defense, as he put it. of our liberties. While yet a member of the 
Council of Governor Franklin of New Jersey, he accepted the nomination 
of his neighbors for Colonel of the Regiment of Militia to be raised in 
Somerset County, which nomination was duly confirmed by the New 
Jersey Provincial Congress, and his commission issued accordingly. 

This was the cause of considerable correspondence between his lord- 
ship and Governor Franklin, through which runs the strongest patriotic 
fervor on the part of Lord Stirling. In his letter to Governor Franklin 
under date of Sept. 14, 1775, he says: "I have lately been informed that 
the good people of this county have unanimously chosen me Colonel of 
a Regiment of Militia, that the Congress of this Province have approved 
of the choice, and have issued a commission accordingly, which I have 
received. This mark of the confidence of the people among whom I reside 
is most satisfactory and I think honorable to me. To be thus called forth 
at a time when their dearest rights are invaded, to take so prominent a 
part in their defense, cannot but excite the most grateful feelings of one 
who has ever been a friend of the liberties of mankind," etc. 

No faltering here in the path of duty. Quickly he organized his 
regiment, equipped and put them in training, and on October 18th he 
ordered a general muster to be held November 6th. Before the day for 
muster arrived Lord Stirling was commissioned by the Continental Con- 
gress to command the first of two regiments of New Jersey troops for 
the Continental line. On hearing of this appointment he went to Phila- 
delphia, received his commission and conferred with Congress, and 
returned to New Jersey to recruit men for his regiment. He had no 
trouble in securing many men from his old regiment of militia, and within 
a short time he had established headquarters at Elizabethtown. It was 
while his headquarters were at Elizabethtown that Lord Stirling made a 
daring exploit in capturing the British armed transport. Blue Mountain 
Valley, of 300 tons burden, mounting six guns and loaded with stores for 
the British army at Boston. Congress commended him by resolution for 
this exploit. His letter reporting the afifair to the President of Congress 
is a clear account of the adventure. It is as follows : 

Colonel the Earl of Stirling to the President of Congress. 

"January 24th, 1776. 

"Sir — On Aljonday last I received intelligence that a transport laden with stores 

for the Ministerial army at Boston was hovering off Sandy Hook, in distress, and 

waiting for assistance from the men-of-war at New York. I thought it a matter 

of so much importance that I immediately set out for Amboy, and there seized a 

8 



pilot-boat, with forty men, that was just putting out, and about two, yesterday 
morning, I was joined by three other boats from Elizabethtown, who voluntarily 
came on this service under Colonel Dayton and Lieutenant Colonel Thomas. We 
found her about six leagues South-East of Sandy Hook. We boarded and took 
her without opposition. She proves to be the Blue Mountain Valley, commanded 
by Captain James Hamilton Dempster, laden with coal, provisions, &c. (I wish it 
had been arms and ammunition, as I expected.) We are now off Amboy, and 
intend to push this evening into the Sound, between Staten Island and the Main. 
I write now in the hurry antl noise incident to such occasions ; I vvfill write the 
particulars as soon as possible. I am, &c." 

"The following are the names of the officers and men belonging to the militia 
of Elizabethtown, who volunteered on the occasion : Colonel, Elias Dayton, Lieut. 
Colonel, Edward Thomas, Captains, Oliver Spencer and William Button, 1st 
Lieutenants. Francis Barber* and Aaron Hatfield, 2nd Lieutenants, Thomas Mor- 
rell, Quarter-Master, George Evertson, Surgeon, William Barnet, Commanders of 
Boats, Smith Hatfield and John Thomas, Serjeants, William Stegins, David Ross, 
and Henry Baker, Privates and citizens, Samuel Smith, Lewis Blanchard, Edmund 
Thomas, Thomas Elstone, Ephraim Marsh, Adam Lee, Thomas Quigley, Henry 
M. Monagal, Price Parcel, Barney Ogden, Timothy B. Stout, Joseph Meeker, Junr., 
George Weeks, Edward Beaty, David Steward, Daniel Craig, Thomas Lee, Stephen 
Wheeler, Farrington Price, Elijah Woodruff, Jonathan Woodruff, Aaron Ogden,* 
Edward Jones, William Clark, Jonathan Clark, Jonathan Nichols, Samuel Mann, 
Silas Freeman, William Meeker, Samuel Ogden, Gabriel Meeker, Jonathan Pierson, 
Elihu Parsons, Robert Spencer, Daniel Macarty, William Ramsden, Samuel Sealey, 
Samuel Lee, Thomas Hoyt, Lewis Woodruff, Isaiah Gray, William Livingston, Jr., 
Brockholst Livingston,* John Hendrix, Samuel Morehouse, Jacob Carle, Benjamin 
Woodruff', Daniel Woodruff, Benjamin Hinds, John Gray, James Clenchy, John 
Miller, John Runyon, Nicholas Deane, Moses Connel, Godfrey Blackney, Timothy 
Burns, Simon Simonson, Richard Miller, and John Miller, 2nd. Those marked 
with an asterisk were afterwards aids of Lord Stirling, and subsequently rose to 
greater eminence. Francis Barber in a few years attained the command of a regi- 
ment, and distinguished himself on several occasions during the war. Aaron Ogden 
became Governor of the State; Brockholst Livingston, a Judge successively of the 
Supreme Court of New York and of the United States." 

The above letter and note are copied from the Collection of the New Jersey 
Historical Society, Vol. 2, 1847. 

On January 10th, 1776, Washington wrote him that he was sending 
Major-General Charles Lee to put New York in a state of defense, and 
asking his assistance. On February 5th he marched to New York under 
orders from Major-General Charles Lee. On March 1st, 1776, Congress 
promoted him to Brigadier-General. His reply to the President of Con- 
gress upon being notified of his promotion is characteristic of the man. 
It is as follows : 

"This instance of the good opinion which the Congress entertain of 
my zeal and attachment to the American cause does me high honour, and 
I receive it from my country with that gratitude and satisfaction which 
will excite me to do everything in my power to deserve it. I wish I had 
more knowledge and experience, and was better qualified to execute the 

9 



arduous task I am now appointed to ; but the Congress may rest assured 
that in every situation I will endeavour to do the best I can and execute 
their commands so far as it is possible." 

At this time Major-General Charles Lee was transferred to the 
Southern Department, and the command at New York devolved upon 
Lord Stirling. Lee reported to the President of Congress : "In very little 
pain about the execution of what they have concerted, as it was committed 
to the hands of Lord Stirling, who showed much intelligence and activity." 
To Washington, Lee wrote : "His lordship is active and discreet and will 
acquit himself well." Lord Stirling proceeded to put New York in a 
state of defense. As an engineer he was competent for this task ; he 
planned most of the defenses around New York, which military experts 
still consider excellent. In the erection of these forts he was handicapped 
by insufficient men; he needed 8,000 when he had only 1,800, of whom 
the time of 1,300 men was about up and they were going back home. He 
cut off in a large measure the communications carried on between the 
Tories in the city and the British warships in the Bay. He recruited and 
trained men for Canada and otherwise carried on with vigor and ability 
the duties of the Commander General of the Middle Department, which 
because of the illness of Major-General Schuyler had devolved upon him. 
A careful study of the details of the period, the correspondence, the 
plans, the muster rolls, the orderly books, the proceedings of the Con- 
tinental and Provincial Congresses, of the Committee of Safety, and the 
maps and plans of the fortifications, leads one to believe that here was 
a genius. A military engineer equal to any, an organizer of great ability, 
a strategist by natural instinct, a brave soldier, and a man of deep feeling, 
who could always get the best out of his men. In some ways his record 
is superior to that of any other General of the Revolution. 

The part he played in the Battle of Long Island was the outstanding 
feature of that event, which was our first great battle as a free nation. 
The British landed on Long Island August 22d, 1776, and advanced in 
three columns to invest the American works on Brooklyn Heights. These 
works consisted of a chain of strong forts and earthworks from the 
Wallabout to Gowanus Creek. The outer line of defenses was estab- 
lished along the ridge of hills which form the backbone of Long Island, 
extending from Cypress Hills to Greenwood Cemetery. The passes 
through these hills were strongly guarded. The outer line of defenses 
was under command of Major-General John Sullivan; the entire force 
was commanded by Major-General Israel Putnam ; an outpost was estab- 
lished at the Red Lion Tavern, which was situated at the junction of 
Gowanus Road, Martense Lane and the Road to the Narrows. Brigadier- 
General Parsons was the Brigadier on duty on August 27th, 1776, an 

10 



office corresponding to the modern Officer of the Day. At 2 o'clock on 
the morning of August 27th General Grant's troops advanced upon the 
American guard at the Red Lion Tavern and fired upon them. They 
retired, sending word to General Putnam that the British were advancing 
up the Narrows Road. Putnam went in person to the tent of Lord 
Stirling and ordered him to go at once, taking two regiments with him 
to hold in check the advance of the en^iy. Stirling promptly called out 
Haslet's and Smallwood's battalions and marched down the Gowanus 
Road to meet the British. Colonel Atlee was in the road ahead of him 
with about 120 of his men, and Lieut.-Col. Clark, with Huntington's 
Connecticut Continentals and Kachlein's Pennsylvania Riflemen soon 
joined him. 

Taking advantage of the natural lay of the land. Lord Stirling 
extended his command, consisting of his own and Brigadier-General 
Parson's Brigade, from Bluckie's Barracks (a knoll at the present foot 
of Twenty-fourth Street and extending up to and encircling the hills now 
known as Battle Hill in Greenwood Cemetery). Here he rallied his men 
which consisted of Smallwood's, Haslet's, Kachlein's, Atlees' and Hunt- 
ington's regiments. In addition he was reinforced by a two-gun battery 
from Knox's artillery under Capt. Lieut. Benejah Carpenter. Here he 
rallied his 1,600 men to face with firm determination the 7,000 British 
troops advancing against them under General Grant. He told his men 
how, while on a visit to London, many years before, he was in the gallery 
of the House of Commons and had heard this same Grant declare "that 
with 5,000 British soldiers he would march from one end of the American 
continent to the other." "He may have," added Stirling, "his 5,000 men 
with him now ; we are not so many, but I think we are enough to pre- 
vent his advancing further on his march over the continent than that 
mill pond." 

Stirling and his men held well the ground they occupied. In some 
places they were driven back a few feet by the British troops. When 
you consider that with from 1,600 to 2,000 men he held 7,000 of the 
picked troops from England at bay from 4 A.M. to 11 A.M. in the open 
fields and woods without fortifications of any kind except what nature 
had provided, it speaks of wonderful courage, discipline and skill. He 
led these men in person, not from a distance, but wherever die Brftish 
shock troops advanced. At 11 o'clock in the morning, firing from the 
rear told him that the American outer works had been outflanked, and 
that a rapid retreat to the main works was necessary, but already the 
Gowanus road was occupied by Cornwallis and his British troops, and a 
battery was planted at the old Stone House of Nicholas Vechte. Realizing 
the situation at a glance, Lord Stirling ordered his main force to retreat 

11 



by fording Gowanus Creek and passing over the causeway to Red Hook 
while with about 256 men of Smallwood's Maryland Battalion he held 
Lord Cornwallis in check at the old Stone House. 

Closing up his ranks, Stirling attacked this column of Cornwallis 
again and again. Fast dwindled the 256. But they had a task to per- 
form, which was to hold in check the whole British column until their 
comrades could get across Freeck's Causeway. Fighting like demons, 
these young men, from the first families of Maryland, under the inspiring 
leadership of Lord Stirling fought until only a few were left standing, 
and these, including his lordship, were wounded. Finding it impossible 
to cut his way through the British army. Lord Stirling surrendered his 
sword to the Hessian General, De Heister, rather than hand it to Lord 
Cornwallis. At the time he surrendered he was surrounded by the entire 
British army of upwards of 20.000 men, while he had only the remnant 
of 256 left. 

The only criticism leveled against his action in the battle was that 
he had faced the British General Grant, in line of battle formation in 
the open field. The first time in the Revolution our men had so gone 
into an engagement. That it was a test of courage which he and his 
men nobly stood, is one of the glories that they earned. The British 
called him "as brave an officer as ever fought a battle." That he saved 
by his bravery the bulk of his command, some 1,200 to 1,400 men, who 
succeeded in fording the Gowanus, is a credit which cannot be taken 
from him. 

Hearing of the battle. General Washington hurried over from his 
headquarters at New York and took up a position upon the ramparts of 
Cobble Hill fort, at what is now Atlantic Avenue between Clinton and 
Court Streets ; this was high ground and he could watch the entire battle 
through his field glass. He noticed how Stirling met the unexpected 
conditions ; he could see the charge of the Maryland Battalion under 
Stirling's personal leadership; he could see them hold the British and 
Hessians in check ; he knew that a slaughter v.^as their lot ; he realized 
that these men knew and were willing to meet this sure death, that their 
comrades, the rest of their division, could get back to the American works 
with safety and thus save them for future usefulness to the great cause 
for which they fought. Those standing near General Washington heard 
him mutter: "Great God, what brave fellows I must this day lose." 

General Washington, having witnessed the remarkable bravery and 
ability of Lord Stirling, immediately endeavored to make an exchange 
of prisoners so as to regain his services. He succeeded in exchanging 
Governor Mortfort Brown, of Florida, for him, and shortly after the 
evacuation of New York Lord Stirling was enabled to rejoin the army. 
During the memorable retreat through the Jersies, he held important 

12 



commands, and at one time with a few Continentals arrested the progress 
of a vastly superior column under Lord Cornwallis near Springfield. On 
February 19th, 1777, Congress promoted Lord Stirling to Major-General. 
Early in the spring a column under his command again frustrated a 
column under Cornwallis by seizing the passes near Westfield. When a 
formidable army from Canada under General Burgoyne was expected to 
descend through New York in 1777, Lord Stirling's division was ordered 
to the highlands of the Hudson. Finding that the British intended to 
strike at Philadelphia, Washington recalled all his men and marched to 
the defense of that city. In the Battle of Brandywine Lord Stirling 
commanded a division under his old commander, Major-General Sullivan. 
Here he again fought bravely and assisted in saving a defeated army. 
In the Battle of Germantown he commanded the reserves and posted his 
men with critical judgment. 

In 1778 Colonel James Wilkinson, an Aide-de-Camp of Major-General 
Gates, confided to Lord Stirling's Aide, Major Mc Williams, certain state- 
ments made by General Conway to General Gates regarding General 
Washington. Lord Stirling, a loyal friend of General Washington, con- 
veyed a memorandum of these statements to his beloved General wkh 
this remark : "The enclosed was communicated by Colonel Wilkinson to 
Major McWilliams. Such wicked duplicity I shall always consider it 
my duty to detect." A correspondence between Washington, Gates and 
Conway now opened which led to the discovery of the Conway cabal, so 
called. 

In the Battle of Monmouth, June 28th, 1778, Lord Stirling com- 
manded the left wing; here occurred the misconduct of Major-General 
Charles Lee, which might have proved fatal if Major-General Greene, 
who commanded the right wing, had not taken up an advantageous posi- 
tion on the right, while Lord Stirling with the left wing successfully par- 
ried every attempt made by the enemy to turn his flank, and placed his 
artillery in such well-chosen positions that they were able to save the day 
and help Washington turn defeat into victory. 

Major-General Charles Lee, stung by the language Washington had 
used to him, when he found him retreating without cause, demanded a 
court-martial. Accordingly, he was arrested and a court-martial con- 
vened to try him on three charges. Lord Stirling was President of this 
Court which found Major-General Lee guilty on all charges and sen- 
tenced him to be suspended from his command for twelve months. Con- 
gress approved their sentence. On October 15th, 1778, Lord Stirling 
proceeded to Elizabethtown, N. J., to watch the action of the British 
Army and Navy at New York. In 1779 he conducted the attack on 
Powles Hook, where Major Light Horse Harry Lee succeeded in cap- 
turing 150 of the garrison, for which he and his men received the thanks 

13 



of the Commander-in-Chief and also of Congress. He led on January 
15th, 1780, an attack upon Staten Island. 

In 1781 he was ordered to Albany, where he was engaged in pre- 
paring the northern country for defense against a new attack from 
Canada. There were active campaigns going on in several parts of the 
northern department, and the duty of keeping in constant touch with 
several important commands under him, in keeping them recruited up, 
fed, clothed and properly equipped, was no easy task. On November 1st, 
1781, he had his army concentrated along the Hudson at Saratoga in 
anticipation of an attack by General St. Leger. On the next day he had 
the pleasure of announcing to his army the surrender of his old antagonist. 
Lord Cornwallis, and shortly later, being convinced that St. Leger did 
not intend to attack him, he dismissed his militia and returned to his 
headquarters at Albany. He carried on the war in his department with 
vigor, tracing down the small detachments of Tories, Indians and British 
soldiers which infested that region. He removed his headquarters for 
the winter to Philadelphia, in January, 1782; this city was included in 
his military department. Early in the summer of 1782 he served as Presi- 
dent of the Board of Officers. As soon as this duty was completed he 
returned to his command at Albany. Here the fatigue due to the com- 
mand on an exposed frontier, added to the hard service in the field which 
he had undergone since the beginning of the war, brought on what was 
diagnosed as a violent attack of gout. Probably today it would have some 
other name. This disease proved fatal and the great General passed 
to his eternal reward January 15th, 1783, aged 57 years. He was buried 
in the Livingston family vault in the Dutch Reformed Church in Albany. 
When this church was demolished his remains were reinterred in the 
cemetery of the Protestant Episcopal Church, of which denomination he 
was a member. 

Lord Stirling's large fortune crumbled during the Revolution from 
an estimated estate of £100.000, over and above indebtedness, to only a 
claim for pay, due from the Colony of New Jersey. His two daughters 
were both ardent in their love for the cause. The oldest had married a 
Tory who before the war was over came to believe in the Continental 
cause ; the youngest married the illustrious soldier, statesman and patriot, 
Colonel William Duer. Both daughters were the ancestors of a host of 
splendid men and women, who have been ornaments to Amicrican society. 

In wealth, in disposition, in ability, in character and in personal 
appearance there was a strong resemblance between Lord Stirling and the 
imm.ortal Washington. Had he lived the country would have found him 
one of her ablest statesmen. The cause of rights of the governed, 
espoused by his father forty years before the Revolution, found its fruition 
in the cause he espoused in 1776. 

14 



BIBLIOGRAPHY 

The following material has been freely used by the author and he hereby 
acknowledges his debt and refers all who wish further information to these rich 
sources : 

The James Alexander Manuscripts in the New York Historical Society Archives. 
The William Alexander (Lord Stirling) Manuscripts in the New York Historical 

Society Archives. 
The William Duer Manuscripts in the New York Historical Society Archives. 
The James Alexander Manuscripts in the New Jersey Historical Society Archives. 
The William Alexander (Lord Stirling) Manuscripts in the New Jersey Historical 

Society Archives. 

The above material is largely unpublished. 
The Collection of the New Jersey Historical Society, Volume 2. 1847. 

(The volume contains the Life of William Alexander by his grandson, William 
Alexander Duer, LL.D.) 

John Peter Zenger. His Press, His Trial. By Livingston Rutherfurd. New 
York, 1904. 

Memoirs of the Long Island Historical Society, Vol. 2. Brooklyn, 1869. 

(The Battle of Long Island by Thomas W. Field.) 

Memoirs of the Long Island Historical Society, Vol. 3. Brooklyn, 1878. 

(The Campaign of 1776. By Henry P. Johnston.) 

The De Peyster and Watts Genealogies. 

New York of the 19th Century. By Mrs. John King Van Rensselaer. 

History of the New York Society Library. By Austin Baxter Keep, A.M. New 
York, 1908. 

History of the Saint Andrews Society. By George Austin Morrison, Jr. New 
York, 1906. 

The Stone House at Gowanus. By Georgia Fraser. New York, 1909. 

The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta, at Home and in Society, 1609-1760. By Mrs. 
John King Van Rensselaer. New York, 1898. 

Manuscript Address by the Hon. Arthur P. Rugg, delivered by him at a Town 
Meeting at Sterling, Mass., July 14. 1919, on the occasion of the presentation 
of a portrait of Lord Stirling by Miss Mary E. Buttrick. The portrait having 
been painted for Miss Buttrick by Miss Eleanor C. Bannister. 

Addresses and articles by Mr. Charles M. Higgins upon the Battle of Long Island 
and kindred subjects. Published in newspapers and pamphlets at various times 
from 1909-1916. 

New York Historical Society Collection. 1896. 

The Record published by the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society 
contains many articles which refer to the life and family of General Alexander. 



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